Method and apparatus for casting trunk pistons



Aug. 25,- 1925.

J. FLAMMANG ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING'TRUNK PISTONS FiledFeb. 18, 1924 1 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 25, 1925. I

J. FLAMMANG ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING-TRUNK: PISTONS 3Sheets-Shoot 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1

lIIIIlI/III Eon ape.

Aug. 25, 1925. 1,551,193

J. FLAMMANG ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING TRUNK PISTONS FiledFeb. 18, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /efewfara.

- Jay/y Han/1mm- I" Finn/m5 are.

I 4y AV/QW Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,551,193 PATENT 'orncs.

JOHN FLAMMANG, OF UNIVERSITY CITY,

AND PERCY L. BOWSER, 01 ST. LOUIS,

MISSOURI, ASSIGNORS T STERLING PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF ST. LOUIS,

MISSOURI, A CORPORATION 01 MISSOURI.

unrnon em: nuance son casrme 'ratmx Herons Application filed February18, 1924. No. 898,512.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN :FLAMMANG Q and PERCY .L. Bowsnn, bothcitizens of the United States, and residing, res ectively, at UniversityCit county of t. Louis, Missouri, and St. ouis, Missouri, have inventedthe new and useful Improvement in Methods and Apparatus for CastingTrunk Pistons, of which the following is aspecification.

i This invention relates to piston molds, and more particularly to moldsused for die casting pistons of aluminum and similarmetals and alloys.

According to the present method of casting pistons of this class, ametalv mold is provided having a sectional core. 'After the castingmetal has been poured into the mold and solidified, the core sectionsare withdrawn from the casting, after which the casting is taken fromthe mold. In these operations the removal of the core sections is donemanually, the sections being removed one at a time, after which thecasting is removed from the mold. In order to facilitate operation ofthis sort, the piston is cast with the head down, so that the coresections may be removed from the top.

The manual handling of a multiplicity of core sections for each moldtogether with the manual removal of the piston from the mold rendersthis method one which requires a considerable amount of time for thecasting of a single article.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide a methodand apparatus for casting trunk pistons which shall facilitate handlingof the various parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus whereinmanual operation of the parts is reduced to a minimum.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an apparatus whichcan be handled rapidly so as to reduce the time consumed in'making acasting.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which shallbe simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and reliable inservice. 7

Further objects will appear from the detail description takenincon'nection with the accompanying dra'wings,in which:

Figure 1' is a plan view illustrating an apparatus embodying thisinvention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of. Figure 1; Fi ures is a. section on line3-3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 ure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan part removed;

Figure 6 1s a view in; mold is a section on line 4- 4, Fi g' detail ofthejcentral core section;

Figure 7 is a detail of one of the side core sections, l

Figure 8 is a view similar, igure 3, taken on line 8-8, Figure-1;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the centralcore sectionloweredto free the casting; I

Figure 10 is a section on line 10-10, Figure 11;

Figure 11 is a view' similar to Figure 9 showing the mold in process ofremoval;

and V.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the completed piston casting.

Referring to the accompanymg drawing i 1 designates a table mountedonlegs 2 and provided with an opening 3 in the top thereof. On the table 1is mounted a base or support 4 provided with a pair of de pendingbrackets 5 extending downwardly through the opening 3. Upon the support4 is a plate 6 provided with a shoulder 7 adapted to receive andposition a mold 8. The mold 8 is made in two sections, as illustrated inFigure 1, and the separate sections are provided with handles 9 formanipulating the same. A top or cover 10 closes the upper end of themold cavity in the mold 8. The two sections of the mold 8 when inposition on the shoulder 7 are held together by a pair of strong springs11.

The plate 6 is provided with a cylindrical bore 12 within which arefitted a series of core sections. The' support 4 is provided witharcuate guide-ways 13, each adapted to receive a guiding shoulder 14 onone of the side core sections 15. Each core section 15 has attachedthereto a rod 16 extending laterally through a slot 17 in the plate 6.Each rod is encircled by a spring 18 hearing against a washer 19 on theoutside of the plate 6 and against a handle 20 on the end of the rod 16.The spring 18 serves to hold the core section 15 with its shoulder 14 inengagement with a guide 13, but at the same time to permit angularmovement of the core section along the guide 13 when the handle 20 isswung laterally, the rod 16 moving in the slot 17 during such angularmovement. The side core sections 15 are thus mounted for movement in thebase so that they may be disengaged from the casting.

These side core sections are shown in detail in Figure 7 and areprovided in two pairs. The sections of each pair are alike, except thatthey constitute right and left hand members. As illustrated in Figure 7,the faces 21 of the two sections of a pair abut against each other whenin casting position. Each section is provided with a cavity 22 formolding the wrist pin bearings, each section of a pair forming half ofthe bearing. Each section may also be provided with a depression 23 forforming a reenforcing rib 24 on the finished casting, see Figure 12.

A central core section 25 1s illustrated in detail in Figure 6. Thissection is provided with an outermost cylindrical surface 26 for formingthe interior of the piston skirt. A similar surface is formed on theouter portion of the sections 15 (not shown in Figure 7) to form acontinuation of the surface 26 when all of the sections are in assembledrelation. The core section 25 is provided with a depression 27 on eachside thereof into which one pair of side sections 15 fits when the coresare in assembled relation. A groove 28 may be provided to form acontinuation of the cavity 22 in the side sections for molding the rib24. Shoulders 29 on the core section 27 are adapted to close the loweropening of the mold'cavity.

The central core section 26 is mounted on a rod 30 adapted to slidevertically in a bearing 31 on the brackets 5. To the rod 30 is fixed ablock 32 which has pivoted thereto at 33 a pair of plates 34 connectedto a pair of links 35 pivoted at 36 on the brackets 5. Two plates 34 areprovided which are joined by a block 37 carrying a manipulative handle38. The plates 34 together with the pivoted links 35 form a toggle whichmay be manipulated by means of a handle 38 so as to raise and lower therod 30 and for forci bly withdrawing the central core section 25. Therod 30 is counter-balanced by a lever 39 pivoted .at 40 to any suitablesupport, such as the floor, and carrying at its other end acounter-weight 41. It is seen that by raising the handle 38 the toggleformed by the plates 34 and the links 35 will be straightened, therebydrawing the block 32 downwardly so as to draw the central core section25 downwardly out of the mold. When the core section 25 has beenwithdrawn from the mold, sufficient space is left so that the sections15 of each pair may be separated and adjacent sections of differentparts swung towrist pin bearings formed by the recesses 22. When thecore sections 15 are in this position, the casting may be removedtherefrom by lifting the same vertically.

The mold 8 is formed in two half parts adapted to fit together to formthe complete mold. Each half part is provided with two handles 9 whichproject substantially in opposite directions therefrom. The handles ofdifferent parts are thus positioned close together on each side of themold so that each pair may be grasped by an operator in order to removethe mold. The mold may be provided with an opening 42 adapted to providea gate for pouring the casting metal into the mold.

The operation of this device is as follows: The side sections 15 areswung together by moving the handles 20 so as to swing both sectionstogether in pairs so as to complete the cavities 22 and 23. The centralcore section 25 may now be raised so as to occupy its position betweenthe sections 15 so as to cooperate with them in forming the interior ofthe mold. This is done by manipulating the handle 38 so as to operatethe toggle to raise the rod 30 and carry the section 25 into its place.The m'old 8 may now be placed over the assembled core sections. This isdone by two operators at the handles 9. The mold is placed in positionwith the half portions registering with each other and properly seatedon the shoulder 7. Registry is insured by means of dowels 43. When thehalf parts are in place the springs 11 will press them firmly togetheragainst any possibility of separation when the metal is poured into themold. An operator may now pour the casting metal into the mold by way ofthe gate 42 until the entire cavity is filled with the metal.

As soon as the cast metal has set sufficiently to maintain its shape,the handle 38 may be operated to drop the central coresection 25. Thehandles 20 are then manipulated so. as to swing the side core sectlons15 clear of the wrist pin bearings of the casting. The handles 9 .arethen grasped by two operators and the mold with the casting therein isremoved from the table. The casting may thus be transferred to anysuitable place for cooling. In depositing the casting upon the coolingtable, the same is released from the mold by pulling the half partsapart bymeans of the handles 9 by operators pulling simultaneously asthe casting is set down. This leaves a casting of the shape illustratedin Figure 12. The sprue 44 may be removed by subsequent operation.

It will be seen, therefore, that this invention provides means forcasting pistons of this type with great convenience and tral section mayrapidity. All plarts of the sectional core i which must be andled withsome care so as to assure their assembly in proper relation to eachother are permanently mounted on suitable supports, so that suchassembly may be carried out by mechanical o eration rather than bymanual man pulation. Consequently the accurate and rapid assembly and.dissembly of these parts is insured, regardless of the skill orproficiency of the operator. Mounting these-parts for movement on theirsupports not only makes it possible to operate with great rapidity, butalso provides that the operations may be carried out by unskilledoperators, the guides on the supports in which the sections move beingadapted to insure their movement in proper relation to each other. Assoon as the side core sections are" moved to assembled relation forcasting, the 'cenbe inserted by a simple movement of the handle 38 andwithout any care or deliberation on the part of the operator. Similarlyin handling the finished casting, the core sections may be dissembledwith great rapidity without danger of injury to the casting, and thecasting itself is then moved immediately by a single movement to a placefor cooling and deposited by a simple movement.

It will be noted that thearrangement by which the piston is cast withthe head up instead of the usual method With the head down, makes itconvenient to mount the core sections for mechanical operation.Providing a mold which takes over the core sections makes it a simpleoperation to handle the finished casting while still within the moldafter the core sections have been disengaged. It will be seen,therefore, that all these improvements make for great rapidity andaccuracy in casting pistons of this kind.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is,therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to be limited tothe specific details shown and described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for casting trunk pis tons, comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections mounted on said support, and means for movingeach of said sections into assembled relation for casting and intodissembled relation for removal of the casting.

2. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections including a central and side sections mountedon said support, guides for said sections, and means for moving saidsections along said guides into assembled relation for casting and intodissembled relation for removal of. the casting.

' tons comprising, a

3. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality ofcore sections each guided for movement on said support toassembled and dissembled relations, and means for moving said sections.I

4. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections guided for movement to assembled anddissembled relations, means for moving one of said sections, and meansfor moving another of said sections into the space left by the firstmoved section.

5. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections each guided for movement to assembled anddissembled relations, means for forcibly withdrawing one of saidsections, and means for moving another of said sections.

6. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections each guided for movement to assembled anddissembled relations, means for moving said sections, and a mold takingover said core and completing the mold cavity.

7. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections projecting upwardly fromsaid support and eachguided for movement to asembled and dissembled relations, and a moldtaking over said core and completing the mold cavity.

8. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections each guided for movement on said support, anda toggle for forcibly withdrawing certain of said sections.

9. An apparatus for casting trunk pissupport, a plurality of guided forhorizontal core sections each vmovement on said support, a central coresection mounted for vertical movement on said support, and means formoving sai sections. a

10. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections each guided for angular movement thereon, acentrol core section mounted for vertical movementon said support, andmeans for moving said sections.

11. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections mounted for movement thereon, a guide on saidsupport for guiding certain of said sections for angular movement, aguide for guiding another of said sections for vertical movement, andmeans for moving said sections."

12. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections projecting upwardly on said support andmovable thereon, a split mold adapted to take over said core to completethe mold cavity, and a manipulative element for said mold, whereby saidmold may be manipulated to remove the casting from said coreand'thereafter to free the casting from said mold.

13. In the art of casting trunk pistons, the method comprising, castingthe piston over a sectional core with the head of the piston up, andremoving the core sections downwardly from the casting.

14. In the art of casting trunk pistons, the method comprising, castingthe piston over a sectional core with the head of the piston up, and.lifting the casting vertically from the core.

15. In the art of casting trunk pistons, the method comprising, castingthe piston over a sectional core with the head of the piston up, liftingthe casting vertically from the core by means of the mold, and freeingthe castin from the mold- 16. In the art of casting trunk pistons, themethod comprising, casting the piston over a sectional core with thehead of the piston up, shifting the core sections relatively, andlifting the casting vertically from the core.

17. In the art of casting trunk pistons, the method comprising, castingthe piston over a sectional core with the head of the piston up,disengaging the core sections from v the interior projections, andlifting the castthe method comprising, casting the piston ing verticallyfrom the core.

18. In the art of casting trunk pistons, tlie method comprising, castingthe piston over a sectional core with the head of the piston up,removing one of the core sections, shifting another core section intothe space left by the removed section, and lifting the castingvertically from the core.

19. In the art of casting trunk pistons, the method comprising, castingthe piston over a sectional-core with the head of the piston up,removing one of the core sections downwardly from the casting, andshifting another core section into the space left by the removedsection.

20. In the art of casting trunk pistons, the method comprising, castingthe piston over a sectional core with thehead of the piston up, shiftingthe core sections relatively, lifting the casting vertically from thecore by means of the mold, and freeing the casting from the mold.

21. In the art of casting trunk pistons,

over a sectional core with the head of the piston up, disengaging thecore sections from the interior projections, lifting the castingvertically from the core by means of the mold, and freeing the castingfrom the mold.

22. In the art of casting 'trunk pistons,

the method comprising, casting the piston over a sectional core with thehead of the piston up, removing one of the core sections, shiftinganother core section into the space left by the removed section, liftingthe core by means the casting from interior projection of the castingand mounted on said support, and means for moving each of said sectionsinto assembled relation for casting and into dissembled relation forclearing the casting projections in order to permit removal of thecastin 24. An apparatus for casting trun pistons comprising, a support,a plurality of core sections each guided for movement on said support toassembled and dissembled relations. said sections having cooperativerecesses for forming the interior projection of the casting, and meansfor moving said sections.

25. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections each guided for movement to assembled anddissembled relations, means for moving said sections, and a mold tak--.1n'g over said core, sald core and mold being constructed and arrangedto form a mold cavity for a piston with the head up.

26. An apparatus for casting trunk pistons comprising, a support, aplurality of core sections projecting upwardly from said support andeach guided for movement to assembled and dissembled relations, and amold taking over said core, said core and mold being constructed andarranged to form a mold cavity for a piston with the head up.

27. An apparatus for casting trunk pistonscomprising, a support, aplurality of core sections each guided for movement to assembled anddissembled relations, means for moving said sections, and a mold takingover said core to complete the mold cavity and having a top adapted toform the head of the piston casting. 28. An apparatus for casting trunkpistons comprising, a support,'a plurality of core sections projectingupwardly from said support and each guided for movement to assembled anddissembled relations, and a mold taking over said core to complete themold cavity and having a top adapted to form the head of the pistoncasting.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures this 8th day of January,1924.

JOHN FLAMMAN G. PERCY L, BOWSER,

a sup-port, a plurality of

